CAGE International to Highlight Guantánamo, Islamophobia, and Civic Freedoms at OSCE Human Dimension Conference

CAGE International is taking part in the 2025 OSCE Human Dimension Conference - the world's largest regional security intergovernmental organisation with 57 participating states - in Warsaw, joining partner organisations Insan: Institute for Social Analysis (Sweden), Witness Against Torture (USA) and Perspectives Musulmanes (France) to address key issues surrounding Islamophobia, civic freedoms, and the global legacy of the “War on Terror.”

The organisation will contribute to the conference through speeches, statements, and two dedicated side events that spotlight long-standing human rights concerns.

Participation and Statements

CAGE International will deliver plenary statements addressing the ongoing injustices of Guantánamo Bay, highlighting state-led repression of pro-Palestinian activism within the United Kingdom and Europe. Additionally, Nehal Abdalla, Amanj Aziz and Elias D’imzalène will deliver plenary statements focusing on Austria, France, and Sweden. 
Through its participation, CAGE International aims to engage with institutional stakeholders, raise awareness of its work, and invite attendees to its side events exploring these interconnected themes and how they affect the international community.

Side Event 1: Guantánamo and the Forever Prisoners

This event marks the first dedicated session on Guantánamo Bay at the OSCE. Led by former Guantánamo detainee and author Mansoor Adayfi, the discussion will examine the ongoing plight of “forever prisoners” and the broader implications of indefinite detention under counter-terrorism frameworks.
A special Guantánamo Art Exhibition will accompany the event, showcasing artwork created by former detainees and offering a deeply personal insight into their experiences. The session aims to attract new audiences, raise public awareness, and strengthen institutional networks across the OSCE community.

Side Event 2: From Guantánamo to Gaza: Counter-Terrorism, Islamophobia, and Civic Freedoms in the OSCE Area

Speakers Mansoor Adayfi, Rayan Freschi (France), Nehal Abdalla (Austria), Amanj Aziz (Sweden), and Elias D'imzalène (France) will explore how anti-Palestinian racism has become a leading form of state-led Islamophobia across the OSCE region.
The event will analyse patterns of repression against pro-Palestinian solidarity, the erosion of civic freedoms, and the link between Guantánamo and current political prisoners. Drawing from international examples - including Palestine Action - the discussion will situate these developments within a broader global context of securitisation and racialised state policy.

A Platform for Engagement

Through its presence at the OSCE Human Dimension Conference, CAGE International seeks to strengthen dialogue on Islamophobia, political imprisonment, and civic freedoms, while building relationships with institutional partners and human rights advocates.
Conference updates and event highlights will be shared across CAGE International’s Twitter and Instagram platforms.

____
ENDS